Comparison between generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing and left ventricular mass in young untreated hypertensive patients

Abstract

Purpose. This study aims to examine the relationship between retinal arteriolar narrowing and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. Methods. A total of 30 patients with a recent history of hypertension (22 M, 8 F; 33±8; BMI 24,96 ± 2.8;), consecutively referred to the Hypertension Unit by their family doctors, were studied. Generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing was measured by two ophthalmologists from computer‐scanned images on retinal photographs, and summarized as arteriole‐to‐venule ratio (AVR). Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by quantitative M‐mode echocardiography. Results. All patients were stratified according to the 2003 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines: 20 subjects (66.7%) were affected by hypertension grade 1, and 10 (33.3%) were affected by hypertension grade 2. Retinal vessel diameters did not differ significantly by grade 1 vs grade 2 hypertension. Echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 10 (33%) patients. No significant correlation was shown between arteriole‐to‐venule ratio (AVR) and left ventricular mass.[Spearman r = 0.22; p = 0.23]. Conclusions. We suggest some explanations for the fact that we did not find any correlation between AVR and left ventricular mass. Further clinical studies are required for a greater understanding as to whether early microvascular changes relate with other clinical indicators of hypertensive organ damage.